eastland mall (Charlotte: high crime, credit card, neighborhood)

[robz]

i just found a job and will be working very close by to the eastland mall. I have not heard god things about that neighborhood. should I be wooried?

[-PlagueasForm-]

hell yeah. That is a bad area of Charlotte.

[mullman]

I am not too concerned when I am on that side of town, but I am armed.

[robz]

since I work at a bank I cant be armed. any other suggestions?

[-PlagueasForm-]

Originally Posted by robz

since I work at a bank I cant be armed. any other suggestions?

Yeah, don't carry anything valuable with you.

[ncisgreat]

Originally Posted by robz

since I work at a bank I cant be armed. any other suggestions?

Don't freak out about it-- I once considered a job at a non-profit over there and the area would not have frightened me out of the job. These are the precautions to take:

Keep aware of your surroundings at all times
Do not leave anything in your vehicle
Do not carry valuables on your person, including little cash and leave all non-essential credit cards and checkbooks at home.

I also recommend walking in pairs to your vehicles, while keeping an eye on your surroundings.

Basically, these are things we should all do everywhere anyway.

People who have lived in Charlotte a long time or have come from smaller towns have a skewed view of what is a HIGHLY dangerous area. For Charlotte, the Eastland area is high crime--but it's no Cabrini Green circa 1982 for pete's sake. No, I would not live there, I would not be THRILLED to work there, but it's not like people are mugged or murdered there weekly or anything.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by robz

since I work at a bank I cant be armed. any other suggestions?

Good advice from NCIG. I add:

Carry your keys in your hand while walking to your car, and put mace on your keychain.

Wear no expensive jewelry, including your watch.

Always be alert of your surroundings; the crime of opportunity almost always happens to a victim who appears to be distracted or unaware. That would include not walking w/ ear buds in place while listening to MP3 player.

If you don't have to carry your laptop, then don't. If you have to carry an attache, make it a simple one made of nylon/ripstop fabric - something that doesn't yell "expensive."

Crime can happen anywhere, even tho some areas are more likely pockets of crime. Do all you can to keep yourself from looking like an easy target . . . or someone "worth" mugging. The stats support - most of us will never be a mugging or carjacking victim. Just pay attention.

[robz]

thanks for some good advice. stupid question, If this is a well known trouble spot why doesnt the city do somthing to clean it up?

[carolina_guy]

Originally Posted by robz

thanks for some good advice. stupid question, If this is a well known trouble spot why doesnt the city do somthing to clean it up?

The thugs have to have somewhere to play, after all, this isn't utopia.

[ncisgreat]

Originally Posted by robz

thanks for some good advice. stupid question, If this is a well known trouble spot why doesnt the city do somthing to clean it up?

They do plenty of patrols. This is a city, not Mayberry. There are trouble spots. Police respond to crime, and rarely have time to prevent crime.

Again, it is a poorer area with problems, but it's not a death trap.